The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry

Unit 1.3

Crystals

The term crystal derives from the Greek word

krystallos and means ice.

Rock crystals the second most common mineral of the

earth crust were the first minerals to be called
crystals, because they were thought to be formed in
extreme cold.
Rock Crystal (Quartz, SiO2)

Amethyst

Milky Quartz

Rose Quartz

Actually, they are formed in

great heat and under
pressure.

Crystals Definition
Definition: Crystals are homogeneous, anisotropic

solid-state bodies, which constituents (atoms, ions,

molecules) are three-dimensional periodically
ordered.
Solid-state bodies without such a 3D periodic
order of its constituents are called amorphous
(gels, glasses, wood, plastic.).

aggregate state

solid liquid gaseous

amorphous

crystalline

crystals have a
crystal structure

Crystals Anisotropy

all crystals show anisotropy

this means that certain chemical or physical properties are
different for different directions, they are directional

anisotropic properties are, for instance

hardness, cleavability

elasticity, expansion properties

Crystals Anisotropy

all crystals show anisotropy

this means that certain chemical or physical properties are
different for different directions, they are directional
electric conductivity

anisotropic properties are, for instance

hardness, cleavability

elasticity, expansion properties

electric / thermal conductivity
electric polarizability, magnetization
graphite

Crystals Anisotropy

all crystals show anisotropy

this means that certain chemical or physical properties are
different for different directions, they are directional

anisotropic properties are, for instance

hardness, cleavability

elasticity, expansion properties

electric / thermal conductivity
electric polarizability, magnetization

Picture Credits
If not otherwise stated pictures, images, sketches, clip arts are

self-taken/self-drawn or

public domain

Werner Lang, Stuttgart, Germany | CC-BY-SA 3.0

Didier Descouens | CC-BY-SA 3.0

Wikipedia | Anton (rp) 2004 | CC-BY-SA 3.0